Terrorist Captured In Samaria With Axe And Suicide Note En Route To Attack

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli police thwarted a terror attack Sunday night after they arrested a Palestinian armed with an axe during patrols in Samaria. A search of the 22-year-old Palestinian’s belongings revealed a suicide letter in which he detailed his intention to perpetrate a terror attack.

The terrorist was arrested during special activities by police to prevent disruptions and unrest at the Tapuach junction in central Samaria. The terrorist, a resident of Al-Bireh near Ramallah, was driving a car and aroused police suspicions which led them to search his car and reveal the axe and suicide note. The suspect had allegedly been driving around for an hour searching for Jews standing alone in order to attack them with his axe. The terrorist was taken for interrogation.

Axe found in car

Police found axe near seat

Regional deputy chief Chaim Sergeroff said that “the awareness of the policemen and the willingness to engage prevented a severe attack. We will continue with determination and professionalism together with security forces to protect the security of Israel’s citizens at all times.”

IDF soldiers continued activities in a number of places in Judea and Samaria, arresting terror suspects in a number of villages. 9 terror suspects were arrested and transferred to security forces for interrogations. In a number of cases shots were fired at IDF forces but there were no casualties.

Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan thanked security forces for their “determined activities to protect Israeli citizens” but added that “At the end of the day, waging war with terror isn’t only catching terrorists at checkpoints but also actively attacking and eradicating the terror in the villages and cities. We see clips of tens of terrorists at demonstrations carrying weapons undisturbed. The government must initiate a new operation against these terror cells and not just act individually against terrorists. We are sick of funerals, we expect a real war against terror.”